- San Diego St. was just never in this game from the start. North Carolina was a controversial entry into the NCAA tournament, but they sure played like a team that belonged in the field of 68.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 19, 2025
- RJ Davis led all scorers with 26 points, shooting 6-of-6 on 3-pointers. Seth Trimble added 16. Jae’Lyn Withers grabbed 10 rebounds, while Elliot Cadeau dished out 12 assists.
- For SDSU, Nick Boyd and Wayne McKinney III each scored 12. But the Aztecs could not overcome poor shooting (39.7%) and a red-hot Tar Heels team.
- Dante Mayo Jr., you get a 3 for North Carolina! The Tar Heels shot 14-of-24 (58%) from long range tonight.
- All the shots continue to go in for North Carolina. Ian Jackson launches one from deep to beat the shot clock and the 3 banks in off the backboard.
can we switch to running time now please?
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 19, 2025
- Hubert Davis is pulling North Carolina’s starters out of the game. The Tar Heels’ bench will bring this blowout to close with 6:35 remaining.
- RJ Davis knocks down his sixth 3-pointer of the game, this one in transition after Magoon Gwath missed a layup. He has a game-high 26 for North Carolina with 7:31 remaining in the game and the Tar Heels up 82-42.
North Carolina’s RJ Davis is 6-for-6 in 3-pointers, on pace for the best long-range shooting performance in the team’s NCAA tournament history. Only Hubert Davis, the Tar Heels coach, had hit 5-of-5 or better from 3-point range in the tournament (1991 vs. Eastern Michigan).
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) March 19, 2025
- Miles Byrd out of the game for San Diego St. after twisting his ankle on a non-contact play. His sole appeared to catch on the court as he tried to cut toward the basket. He’s only scored two points, shooting 0-for-4 from the floor.
- Two free throws from Jae’Lyn Withers and a jumper by SDSU’s Wayne McKinney III preceded another 3 from RJ Davis. The Aztecs can barely chip away at this North Carolina lead.
- North Carolina’s 47 points are the most San Diego St. has allowed in the first half this season. And the 24-point deficit is the second-largest that the Aztecs have faced under coach Brian Dutcher, per the truTV broadcast.
Would rather be the 11-seed that plays in Dayton than stuck in the 8/9 game. North Carolina’s draw offers an open door to make the second weekend.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 19, 2025
I’m sure the UNC takes will be very nuanced and acknowledge that a team can both not have an NCAA tournament-caliber resume and be good enough to advance in the main draw.
— Jeff Eisenberg (@JeffEisenberg) March 19, 2025
- RJ Davis has a game-high 11 points for North Carolina, followed by 10 from Seth Trimble. Jae’Lyn Withers has seven rebounds and Elliot Cadeau tallied eight assists.
- Magoon Gwath leads San Diego St. with eight points and Nick Boyd added six in the first half.
- The first half could not have gone any better for the Tar Heels, who shot 61% from the floor and 7-of-9 from 3-point range.
- Meanwhile, the Aztecs are shooting 27% and only 4-for-16 on 3s.
- North Carolina takes a 24-point lead into the break, 47-23.
- RJ Davis hit two consecutive 3s for North Carolina to close out the first half. Davis’ second trey was from deep behind the line, at the edge of the half-court logo with two seconds remaining.
- Magoon Gwath hits a jumper for SDSU, but UNC comes right back with Jalen Washington swishing a hook shot from the lane.
- North Carolina leads 37-16 with another TV timeout and 3:49 remaining in the first half.
- Excellent pick and roll between Elliot Cadeau and Ven-Allen Lubin results in a monster dunk for North Carolina.
- The Tar Heels are shooting 65% from the floor.
- Nothing going right for San Diego St. right now. Jared Coleman-Jones got position in the post, but he stepped out of bounds while trying to create space under the basket.
- North Carolina leads 29-13 and a TV timeout is taken.
